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Sublocations

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"One of the first landfalls settled by the Redguards when they sailed east from their lost homeland of Yokuda, the island of Stros M'Kai is now a haven for freebooters, sea-rovers, and other nautical entrepeneurs who roam the Abecean Sea."

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Stros M'Kai is one of the smallest islands owned by Hammerfell, and it is behind other territories such as Herne and Cespar in size. But what Stros M'Kai has an advantage on is its proximity to the mainland and the former capital of Hammerfell, Hegathe which is located north of the island on Khefrem. Stros M'Kai is heavily shrouded in sandy dunes and the rugged Ogres Tooth Mountains which are on the western end of the Isle. The capital of Port Hunding is the located on large ravines that divide the city from the Palace. The river flows through Stros M'Kai and splits the main island into two. Hunding Bay refers to the large opening in central Stros M'Kai that has the Island of Iron Faces and the Statue to Frandar Hunding on it. Northwest of Stros M'Kai is the Spine, a small archipelago of small jagged islands that are largely uninhabitable. Off the coast of the main island and the Spine is an island colloquially known as the Isle of N'Gasta. It was the home of the elusive Sload race of Beastfolk that haunt the Abecean Sea.

The Assassin Beetle or the Samara Scarabs back in Yokuda,[1] are a dangerous type of insectoid found in the deserts of Stros M'Kai and the Alik'r Desert. These beetles are more commonly found in the Ogres Tooth Mountains and the outer ruins of Bthzark on the island. The Assassin Beetle shares a striking resemblance to its electrifying cousins of the Southern Tamriel Coast and their fiery brethren of the Morrowind Ashlands. They have a black endoskeleton that helps them blend into the shadows; this is likely the reason why they tend to live near the mountains. Killing an Assassin Beetle can be tricky since their blood is laced with acid, this can burn the skin quickly. They truly are the Assassin Beetles.[2]

Wolves are found more in Stros M'Kai then in places such as the Alik'r Desert or Craglorn. Wolves tend to live on the central coasts of Stros M'Kai, on the Hunding Bay. Wolves travel in packs and attack all at once. Sometimes they will move in specific directions to confuse their prey and catch them off guard. Once a wolf spots you, they will signal their friends, and they will surround you. Despite their substantial numbers, a wolf is not hard to take down. A couple strikes from a well-sharpened blade can kill off those bastards quickly.[3]

The Dwemer have ancient cities located all across Northern Tamriel in places such as Red Mountain, the Eastern Reach, and the Wrothgarian Mountains. The Dwarves hold secrets that are sought out by the Spheres of Influence in Tamriel, and they must protect their secrets by any means necessary. They built giant contraptions that roam the halls of Bthzark such as the Dwarven Spider, the Dwarven Sphere, and the Dwarven Centurion. Many people do not make it out of Bthzark because the machinations fight valiantly for their long gone creators. The Dwarven Spider is a spider-like machine that conducts electricity that can be passed onto other robots. The Dwarven Sphere is a large machine that uses a sphere to move around, and they have arms resembling Swords and Crossbows. The Dwarven Centurion is a giant machine that blows incredibly hot steam and can demolish a building in a single swing.[3]

The Durzog is a strange creature that resembles a combination of a feral Argonian and a rabid Dog. Durzogs are lizard dogs that have long spiked spines and pale green skin that gives them a wild look to them. They have a large jaw with immense teeth that can bite off the head of anyone. Their hides are riddled with barbs and such that make them hard to fight actually. Durzogs are commonly used as battle pets for Goblins since they tend to live in the same area. Durzogs can be found in the northern mountains of Stros M'Kai near Goblin Camps or by the coast of the island or the rivers.[4]

Goblins are a barbaric folk that lives practically everywhere, from Morrowind to the Summerset Isles. Goblins live in tribes, but there is only one tribe to exist on Stros M'Kai, the Dogeater Tribe. The Tribe has lived all through the second era in the Northern Mountains of the Island and have the northern region under their grasp. The Dogeaters have built large caves that extend throughout the hills. The Dogeaters use Durzogs as reliable battle pets for taking out travelers from Port Hunding to Saintsport. Goblins make makeshift weapons and can easily outnumber unaware passersby.

Stros M'Kai is largely a desert biome with some levels of vegetation found throughout the island. Thin patches of grass can be found throughout the Hunding Bay as well as in Port Hunding. Desert plants such as Palm Trees, Desert Shrubs, and small cactuses can be found in small pockets in the desert and decent quantities on the coast. Stros M'Kai tends to have imported goods from the mainland, so the people do not tend to any plant farms. The Ogres Tooth Mountains have small areas of plants that grow along the base. Plants such as the Mountain Flower or Wormwood grow in this area while plants such as the Water Hyacinth, the Nirnroot, and the Columbine grow on the sea and waterways. One of the rarest roots found in Western Tamriel is the Jarrin Root, these roots are found in the shadows of Stros M'Kai and can be made into a deadly poison. They are rare to come across and can be mixed into any food without anyone suspecting a thing. According to some archives, the Dark Brotherhood of Skyrim planned on using Jarrin Root to poison EmperorTitus Mede II. It has been shown that Stros M'Kai produces Rum that is exported to places such as Solitude and Wayrest. This means that Stros M'Kai must grow an abundant amount of Sugarcane to produce a lot of Rum and to receive critical acclaim.

"The ancient Na-Totambu ruling class retained the rights of noble council as the Crowns, and the much-admired warriors of the Ra Gada were finally granted rights of ownership within their tribal districts."

The Isle of Stros M'Kai is referred to as a Kingdom along with the cities of Hegathe and Elinhir, and it is the property of the Crowns, one of the two political parties that exist in Hammerfell. The Crowns, compared to the Forebears, kept the traditions that the Na-Totambu have preserved from the continent of Yokuda. During the Tiber Wars, the ruler of the island was Prince A'Tor, the son of High KingThassad II of Sentinel. A'Tor was a valiant warrior during the Conquest of Hammerfell and passed during the Battle of Hunding Bay. A'Tor could have been considered the King of Stros M'Kai, but at the time, he was referred to as a Prince. After the battle, the Septim Empire issued a provisional government to re-establish order on the island. Admiral Amiel Richton was named Provisional Governor of the island and ruled the island with an iron fist up until 2E 864 where he was assassinated. The First Treaty of Stros M'Kai created an agreement between the Crowns and the Empire, Stros M'Kai was a Kingdom of the Third Empire. The Imperial Legion guarded the Island and had a garrison stationed in Port Hunding. Saintsport is independent of the city, but they still have a substantial relationship.

Because of Hammerfell's integration into the Septim Empire, Port Hunding is required to have a temple dedicated to the Nine Divines. Through some unknown method, Port Hunding and the Kingdom of Stros M'Kai was given Arkay to worship over. The Temple of Arkay is located on the south-central end of the city near the town square. Arkay is the God and Governor of the Circle Life, meaning he represents life and death in Tamriel. Arkay has Temples all across Tamriel in places such as County Cheydinhal, Kingdom of Falkreath, Kingdom of Sentinel, and the Barony of the Ilessan Hills.

While the city-folk worship Arkay of the Nine Divines, many Redguards worship Morwha of the Redguard Pantheon. Morwha is described as the God of Fertility and is commonly associated with Mara of the Nine Divines.[5]

This conflict caused a civil war between the two political factions in Hammerfell, and it slowly fell into the Crowns' favor. The Forebear took serious measures in this war by asking Tiber Septim for his aid in the battle in exchange for Hammerfell's allegiance into the Third Empire. Stros M'Kai and Port Hunding became the Crowns' Headquarters in the Civil War while the Forebears had the city of Sentinel and the Alik'r Desert. Many Crowns Loyalists deserted A'Tor and joined the Forebears when they realized what the Septim Empire would give to Hammerfell. This caused a sudden fluxation in Crowns numbers and the battlefront being pushed into the Abecean Sea and eventually into Stros M'Kai waters. The final battle in the Civil War was the Battle of Hunding Bay and it left Stros M'Kai in a state of woe. The Septim Navy was led by Admiral Amiel Richton while the Crowns were led by Prince A'Tor. Richton utilized the dragon known as Nafaalilargus to burn down the Crown fleets, A'Tor died honorable in combat and Stros M'Kai was captured, by Richton. Hammerfell fell to the Imperials of Cyrodiil.[12][13]

"The Redguards of Hammerfell, both Crown and Forebear, learn to live under the new Imperial rule and Tiber Septim extends his reach into the rest of Tamriel. It is only through fate that any of this will come to concern our hero, Cyrus, a Redguard who long ago left Hammerfell to wander the borderlands of the Empire."

In the aftermath of the battle, Hammerfell was heavily oppressed by the Third Empire, and Stros M'Kai was no exception. Admiral Richton was named Provisional Governor of Stros M'Kai, and Imperial Garrisons were built in every city found throughout Hammerfell. In 2E 864, a pirate that was known as Cyrus arrived into Stros M'Kai to find his sister, Iszara, who disappeared sometime after the Battle of Hunding Bay. Cyrus did a couple of odd jobs here and there until he accepted a position to retrieve the Amulet of N'Gasta on an island off the coast of Stros M'Kai. After bringing the Amulet to Amiel Richton, he was double-crossed and put into The Grave to be imprisoned.[14][15]

Cyrus escaped the Grave sometime afterward with the knowledge on how to contact the Restless League of Pirates and the key to Saintsport's Lighthouse. Cyrus returned to Port Hunding to learn more about how to contact the Restless League. He met Urik, who gave Cyrus the League's Insignia while Erasmo gave him a code that is also required to attend the League. Cyrus traveled to Saintsport and signaled the Restless League, he was eventually taken to the League's Headquarters and met the leader of the group, Basil. With Basil's help, Cyrus unlocked Iszara's Lodge and found out her plan to revive Prince A'Tor to continue the fight. Cyrus returns to the Isle of N'Gasta to see if he knew anything. Cyrus discovered N'Gasta with Iszara's body and defeated him using the Flask of Lillandril. Cyrus entered Oblivion and Clavicus Vile's Realm to follow Iszara. Cyrus met Clavicus Vile and Barbas in the Oblivion Plane and wagered his soul for Iszara's Soul. Cyrus was able to outsmart Vile and saved his sister. Their next objective was to retrieve the Soul Gem with Prince A'Tor's soul.[16][17][18]

Provisional Governor Amiel Richton of Stros M'Kai.

Prince A'Tor's Soul Gem is kept in the Palace Treasury in Port Hunding. Entering from the outside would be a death sentence, so Cyrus entered the Palace via the Grave. After defeating several guards, he finally arrived into the Treasury, but it was guarded by a giant red dragon known as Nafaalilargus. In a heated battle, Cyrus defeated the Dragon and retrieved the Soul Gem. Afterward, Cyrus met with Iszara and a Yokudan Gypsy named Saban at a camp outside of the city. The three traveled to A'Tor's sarcophagus and infused his soul with a steel longsword now known as the Soul Sword. With this great blade, Cyrus confronted Amiel Richton and his assassin, Dram at the Port Hunding Palace. Cyrus killed Dram and defeated Richton, who was on a Dwemer Airship. Stros M'Kai was liberated from the oppressive Amiel Richton and through A'Tor's advice, the First Treaty of Stros M'Kai was created between Iszara and Tiber Septim. Hammerfell's rights were not so restricted, and the province fully accepted its integration into the Third Empire. Cyrus left Stros M'Kai to further explore the lands of Tamriel, some say he traveled to Black Marsh to find the legendary Eye of Argonia.[19][20][21]

"All those who value freedom over tyranny can only hope that before it is too late, Hammerfell and the Empire will be reconciled and stand united against the Thalmor threat. Otherwise, any hope to stem the tide of Thalmor rule over all of Tamriel is dimmed."

The Redguards of Hammerfell were furious with the signing of the White-Gold Concordat, they seceded from the Mede Empire, and they continued the fight throughout Hammerfell. The war continued for another five years while Cyrodiil tries their hardest to rebuild from the destruction. Southern Hammerfell was completely decimated, although the total amount of damage is known, it can be assumed that cities such as Abah's Landing and Hegathe were severely damage and repairing them would take a lot of time. The War ended with the Second Treaty of Stros M'kai that was signed in 4E 180.[22]